Cd. Huebner et al., ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS AFFECTING UNDERSTORY DIVERSITY IN 2ND-GROWTH DECIDUOUS FORESTS, The American midland naturalist, 134(1), 1995, pp. 155-165
The purpose of this study was to determine the most important nonanthr
opogenic factors affecting understory (herbs, shrubs and low-growing v
ines) diversity in forested landscapes of southern Indiana. Fourteen e
nvironmental variables were measured for 46 sites. Multiple regression
analysis showed significant positive correlation between understory d
iversity and tree seedling diversity and soil subgroup. Slope aspect,
soil rooting depth and number of standing dead trees were significantl
y negatively correlated with understory diversity. Mesic sites were mo
re diverse in common understory species than xeric sites but had lower
total cover and different species.